2016

1. 2 December Stolen Generations

   NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Leslie Williams, announces a reparations package worth more than $73 million to Stolen Generations survivors. It includes a $59.5 million administrative scheme offering one-off financial payments of $75,000 to survivors and a $5 million healing fund. He also promised to establish a Stolen Generations advisory committee.

   The NSW Government officially acknowledges the real and heartbreaking trauma caused by historic government policies and practices of removing Aboriginal children from their kin and country.

   — Leslie Williams, NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs ^[1]

2. 5 December

   In a rare win for an Aboriginal community, the Federal Court finds police were racist during the 2004 riots on Palm Island. Justice Mortimer found police had contravened the Racial Discrimination Act in their treatment of Aboriginal witnesses, submitting inaccurate information to the coroner, and failing to “communicate effectively” with the community to defuse tensions. Senior Sergeant Hurley should have not remained on the island or on duty.

3. 13 December Treaty

   The SA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Kyam Maher, announces that the government commits $4.4 million over 5 years towards the establishment of up to 40 treaties across South Australia. This commitment to individualised treaties for Aboriginal communities is different to Victoria's plans for a statewide treaty. The investment also funds the appointment of an independent commissioner for treaty.

   Treaty is an important step towards addressing the wrongs of the past. The fact that so many Aboriginal people to this day face such significant disadvantage remains the greatest stain on our society.

   — Kyam Maher, South Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation ^[2]

4. 15 December Recognition

   The Tasmanian government passes into law an amended preamble to the Tasmanian Constitution Act to formally recognise Aboriginal people “as Tasmania’s First People and the traditional and original owners of Tasmanian lands and waters”. Tasmania was the last state that had to amend its constitution in that way.

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